K.I.A.K.I.A.
Real Name: KIA (though he was a clone of Michael Ian Van Patrick)
Identity/Class: Clone of human mutate
Occupation: Vengeance seeker
Group Membership: Assassins Guild (Bella Donna Boudreaux, Assassin, Boomerang/Fred Myers, Bushwacker/Carl Burbank, Crossbones/Brock Rumlow, Death Adder/Theodore Scott, Lord Deathstrike, Scorpia/Elaine Coll, many others);
Affiliations: None
Enemies: Avengers (Iron
Man/Tony Stark, Ms. Marvel/Carol Danvers, Wasp/Janet Van Dyne, Wonder
Man/Simon Williams), Baron Wernher von
Blitzschlag, Deadpool (Jack, "Wade Wilson"), Debrii (Deborah Fields), Gauntlet (Joseph Green), Henry
Peter Gyrich, the
Initiative (Ant-Man/Eric O'Grady, Cloud 9/Abby Boylen, Crusader/Z'reg,
Diamondback/Rachel Leighton, Dragon Lord/Tako Shakara, Gargoyle/Isaac
Christians, Geiger/Delilah
Dearborn, Hardball/Roger Brokeridge, Hellcat/Patsy Walker,
Komodo/Melati Kusuma, Melee, Nighthawk/Kyle Richmond, Proton/Geldoff,
Red 9/Wallace Jackson, Stature/Cassie Lang, Stingray/Walt Newell, "Thor
Girl"/unidentified Skrull, Triathlon/Delroy Garrett, Jr.),
Justice (Vance Astrovik), Rage (Elvin Halliday), S.H.I.E.L.D.,
Slapstick (Steve Harmon), Taskmaster, Trauma (Terrence Ward),
Ultragirl (Suzy Sherman), Brian Van Patrick, Michael Van Patrick (MVP
clone), War Machine (James Rhodes), Yellowjacket (Criti Noll)
Known Relatives: Wernher von Blitzschlag
(creator), Michael Van Patrick (MVP, genetic progenitor, deceased),
Michael (clone "brother," deceased), MVP clone ("Michael Van Patrick"),
Patrick (clone "brother"), Van (clone "brother," deceased)
Aliases: "Captain Shirtless" (insult from
Constrictor), "Child" (called by Baron von
Blitzschlag), "Ian" (suggested name), Killed in Action, "Quart of Milk.
Dozen Eggs. Lady's Home Journal" (insult from Slapstick), "Soldier,"
"Son" (called by "Yellowjacket"), Michael Van Patrick, "Wernher Junior" (suggested name)
Base of Operations: Camp Hammond, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
First Appearance: Avengers: The Initiative I#8
(February, 2008)
Powers/Abilities: KIA had peak human physical
attributes, especially in strength and athleticism, due to his genetic
nature being cloned from MVP. The Tactigon, a near-infinitely powerful
weapon, was also grafted on his arm, allowing him to hack into any
computer system. The Tactigon was also capable of transforming into
nearly any weapon including energy blasters, blades and even venom
injectors. While connected to the Tactigon, KIA could sense his perceived victims nearby.
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 173 lbs.
Eyes: Solid white (no visible pupils) (glowing pink when using Tactigon)
Hair: Brown
History: (Avengers: The Initiative I#14 (fb))
- A clone was created from the genetic material of deceased Initiative
recruit MVP and the heads of the Fifty-State Initiative (Baron von
Blitzschlag, Henry Peter Gyrich and "Yellowjacket") discussed putting
the Tactigon weapon onto the clone.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z
Update#1 - KIA entry - BTS) - After discussion, the clone who would
become KIA was officially selected to wear the Tactigon.
(Avengers: The Initiative I#9 (fb)) - In an effort to
make the clone worthy to wield the Tactigon, footage of former
Initiative recruit Armory, who had previously wielded the Tactigon, was
programmed into the clone in addition to all of MVP's memories. Upon
emerging from his clone tank, the clone who would become KIA insisted
that he was Michael Van Patrick
despite Initiative scientist Baron von Blitzschlag suggesting several
names to go by since another clone was using the name Michael Van
Patrick in Kentucky. When Blitzschlag suggested the name "Wernher
Junior" after himself, the clone refused and again insisted he was
Michael Van Patrick. Blitzschlag followed up by questioning what the
clone would do if Blitzschlag ordered the clone to assume that name and
the clone answered that he would do so since Blitzschlag was his
superior officer. "Yellowjacket" (actually disguised Skrull Criti Noll)
then arrived with the Tactigon weapon and explained how the Initiative
wished for the clone to connect to the Tactigon and test it.
Unfortunately, moments after being hooked into the Tactigon, the clone
was overwhelmed with memories of MVP's death and the Tactigon grafted
itself onto the clone's arm. Demanding to know more information, the
clone used the Tactigon to access Camp Hammond's computer systems,
where he viewed footage of the true MVP's death. Claiming he was MVP
and could not have been killed in action, the clone had the computers
run a status report and was told that the real MVP had indeed died in
action. Unhinged, the clone was ordered to step away from the computers
by "Yellowjacket" and Baron von Blitzschlag agreed, remarking that the
clone should listen to his father. Denouncing Blitzschlag as his
father, the clone hurled a large piece of machinery, knocking the
feeble Blitzschlag into the wall before "Yellowjacket" directly ordered
the clone to stand down. Claiming that he was dead and couldn't be
ordered around, the clone proclaimed himself Killed in Action (KIA) and
blasted "Yellowjacket." Psychotically repeating the words "killed in
action," KIA killed all of the MVP clones present within
"Yellowjacket"'s lab and used the Tactigon to carve "KIA" into his
chest. Escaping the lab, KIA burst into the training area of Camp
Hammond, where Taskmaster was training a group of new recruits.
Assuming KIA to be part of the training simulation, the new recruits
attacked KIA, who killed Dragon Lord and easily beat the other
students, remarking to Taskmaster that he had been careless with the
lives of his students. Taskmaster was then shocked when KIA turned and
went after "Yellowjacket."
(Avengers: The Initiative I#8/Avengers: The Initiative I#14 (fb)) - Pursuing "Yellowjacket," who escaped by shrinking down to size, KIA searched the Camp Hammond subbasements for "Yellowjacket," eventually locating him and announcing that Yellowjacket was on his list.
(Avengers: The Initiative I#9) - "Yellowjacket" tried
reasoning with KIA, calling him a good kid and good soldier and asking
him to put down the weapon so he could get help, but KIA instead
blasted "Yellowjacket" and announced him killed in action. KIA then
turned back toward the terrified Taskmaster, who asked if he was also
on KIA's list. Momentarily pausing, KIA replied that Taskmaster was not
his list, prompting Taskmaster to throw down his weapons and ask if
there was a problem between them. When KIA replied that there was no
problem and departed, Taskmaster checked on Crusader. Trauma and "Thor
Girl" (actually another disguised Skrull) met KIA in the hallway, a
shocked Trauma exclaimed how he had seen MVP die. Still claiming to be
MVP, KIA announced that he had died thanks to Trauma but before KIA
could blast Trauma, "Thor Girl" stood in Trauma's defense and was
blasted instead. Upon seeing the horribly burned "Thor Girl," Trauma
used his powers to transform himself into the one thing the Tactigon
feared most but KIA, unafraid of Trauma's form himself, transformed the
Tactigon into a bladed weapon and stabbed Trauma. Leaving Trauma behind
to die, KIA made his way into Camp Hammond's infirmary, where drill
instructor Gauntlet was apparently still comatose following an earlier
attack. Announcing that he preferred combat vs. killing a comatose
opponent, KIA found Gauntlet's bed to be empty.
(Avengers: The Initiative I#10) - KIA stumbled around
looking for the missing Gauntlet before sensing another potential
victim from his list, Henry Peter Gyrich, nearby. As Gyrich and several
SHIELD got visual on KIA's whereabouts, KIA blasted his way into their
chamber, prompting Gyrich to order his Shadow Initiative to the
location to protect him. KIA quickly killed the SHIELD agents present
by transforming the energy from his Tactigon into razor-sharp tendrils
but before he could kill Gyrich, the Shadow Initiative arrived.
Constrictor managed to wrap KIA in his tendrils but KIA transformed the
Tactigon's energies into razor-wire and severed Constrictor's arms
before the Scarlet Spiders demasked to show that they too were clones
of MVP. Momentarily confused at seeing how none of the MVP clones were
truly unique, KIA renewed his attack, decapitating one of the Scarlet
Spiders and continuing his search for Henry Peter Gyrich, who had been
cloaked by Mutant Zero. Soon sensing that Gauntlet was nearby, KIA was
attacked the comatose Gauntlet, who was being animated by his gauntlet.
Blasted outside, KIA recognized Cloud 9, Komodo and Hardball,
proclaiming them to be on his hit list. The Initiative quickly opened
fire on KIA, who protected himself by wrapping himself in Tactigon
energy tendrils before firing back, blasting off one of Nighthawk's
wings, a hole through one of Gargoyle's wings and grazing Cloud 9.
Announcing his victims killed in action, KIA was again attacked by
Gauntlet, who was still being animated by his own gauntlet. Stabbing
into Gauntlet's shoulder, KIA managed to awaken Gauntlet, who was
nearly killed by KIA until the remaining Scarlet Spiders re-entered the
fray.
(Avengers: The Initiative I#11 (fb)) - As the two
remaining Scarlet Spiders attacked KIA, he fired the Tactigon blindly,
hitting Komodo's eyes and forcing her to regrow them as a small group
of Initiative recruits made their way to the Camp Hammond jump gate to
locate the perfect MVP clone, who had been living in Kentucky disguised
as the true MVP. Again announcing that Cloud 9, Komodo and Hardball
were all on his kill list, KIA continued firing, damaging Komodo as the
recruits continued their trek. Realizing his intended victims were
escaping, KIA knocked aside the Scarlet Spiders and pursued the
recruits into the Camp Hammond jump gate, arriving in the Negative Zone
Prison 42, where War Machine attempted to hold KIA off while the
recruits continued their trek towards the MVP clone's location in
Tennessee. Proclaiming that War Machine was not on his kill list, KIA
ordered War Machine to stand down but War Machine instead attacked KIA.
(Avengers: The Initiative I#11) - KIA tracked the
Initiative recruits to Bulls Gap, Tennessee, where he destroyed a house
to announce his arrival. Announcing Justice as his next victim for
recruiting MVP into the Initiative in the first place, KIA easily
swatted aside most of the former New Warriors aiding Justice until
Slapstick agreed to go alone against KIA. KIA quickly attacked but the
amorphous Slapstick shrugged off all physical attacks, responding with
jokes until KIA adjusted his Tactigon to destroy Slapstick's molecular
bonds, causing him to collapse in a puddle of ectoplasm. Proclaiming
Slapstick dead, KIA was attacked by Hardball and Komodo, whom KIA
poisoned using Rigellian snake venom from his Tactigon. As Cloud 9
watched, KIA then shrugged off attacks from Rage and Debrii before the
Avengers arrived on the scene. Keeping the Avengers at bay, KIA battled
the team until Cloud 9 walked into his line of fire. Possessing the
memories of the original MVP and his feelings for Cloud 9, KIA halted
his attack and warned Cloud 9 that she could be killed. Fighting back
the Tactigon's desire to kill Cloud 9, KIA was kissed by Cloud 9, who
generated gas within KIA's esophagus, choking him. Quickly recovering,
KIA was held in place until the Scarlet Spiders arrived and pinned KIA
where he stood using their armor's mechanical arms. The MVP clone then
placed the mind-erasing helmet onto KIA and erased his mind,
downloading it into the helmet.
SECRET WARS III HAPPENED
(Deadpool: Assassin#4 (fb) - BTS) - Death Adder joined the New Orleans-based Assassins Guild.
(Deadpool: Assassin#4) - Assassins Guild leader Bella Donna Boudreaux offered a bounty on Deadpool's head to several assassins, including K.I.A., the clone of Michael Ian Van Patrick.
(Deadpool: Assassin#5) - Deadpool and his friends from the Hellhouse attacked the Assassins Guild headquarter. During the battle Bella Donna was aided by her hired assassins Assassin, Black Mamba, Boomerang, Crossbones, Death Adder, K.I.A., Lord Deathstrike and Scorpia. K.I.A., Scorpia and Black Mamba were taken out of the fight when Deadpool electrocuted them with his Deadpool Trackers.
Comments: Created by Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage and Stefano Caselli.
Profile by Proto-Man. Update by Markus Raymond (Deadpool: Assassin).
CLARIFICATIONS:
K.I.A. has no known connections to:
images: (without ads)
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Update#1, KIA entry, main image (KIA, main image)
Avengers: The Initiative I#11, p19, pan5 (KIA's mind being downloaded into helmet, headshot)
Avengers: The Initiative I#9, p7, pan1 (KIA, moments after being created)
Avengers: The Initiative I#9, p13, pan2 (KIA busting through a wall)
Avengers: The Initiative I#8, p23, splash page (KIA pointing the Tactigon at "Yellowjacket")
Avengers: The Initiative I#10, p15, pan2 (KIA, protecting himself from bullets by wrapping himself in Tactigon energies)
Avengers: The Initiative I#11, p4, pan4 (KIA transforming his Tactigon into various weapons)
Avengers: The Initiative I#11, p6, splash page (KIA with Tactigon-created armor)
Appearances:
Avengers: The Initiative I#8 (February, 2008) - Dan Slott, Christos N.
Gage (writers), Stefano Caselli (art), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative I#9 (March, 2008) - Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage (writers), Stefano Caselli (art), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative I#10 (May, 2008) - Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage (writers), Stefano Caselli (art), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative I#11 (June, 2008) - Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage (writers), Stefano Caselli (art), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Avengers: The Initiative I#14 (August, 2008) - Dan Slott, Christos N.
Gage (writers), Stefano Caselli (art), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Update#1 (April, 2010) -
Jeff Christiansen, Stuart Vandal, Sean McQuaid (head
writers/coordinators), Michael Hoskin, Mike O'Sullivan, Rob London,
Kevin Garcia, Madison Carter, Markus Raymond, Ronald Byrd, Chris Biggs,
Gabriel Shechter, Eric J. Moreels, Jacob Rougemont, Mike Gagnon
(writers), Steve Uy (KIA entry art), Jeff Youngquist (editor)
Deadpool: Assassin#4 (September, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), John Dell & Roberto Poggi (inks), Devin Lewis (editor)
Deadpool: Assassin#5 (October, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), John Dell & JP Mayer (inks), Devin Lewis (editor)
First Posted: 04/17/2018
Last updated: 11/23/2021
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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